Hosted by Food Network heavyweights Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri, the show splits contestants between "Team Rachael" and "Team Guy" as they compete against each other in a series of challenges cooked up to test their skills in the kitchen. In each episode, kids participate in a culinary pop quiz, followed by a mentoring session with the hosts and the creation of a menu plan. Guest judges taste and grade the dishes and give each competitor a report card. The chef with the highest overall score wins his or her own web series on FoodNetwork.com.

Zampa wasn't so much overwhelmed by the experience of being on TV as he was grateful for the opportunity to learn from his boyhood idols. "It was really amazing," said Zampa, a student at Scofield Magnet Middle School. "It wasn't really stressful ... you had time to learn from Rachael and Guy, and that's what was important to me."

Zampa said he took home valuable lessons about cutting methods, time management and flavor combinations. "I remember what they told me, and I'm applying all these great techniques in my own kitchen," said Zampa, who was picked for the show after Food Network producers came across his cooking video on YouTube. Filming for the show took place in late July.

Though being in front of the camera was "a bit nerve-wracking," Zampa had no problem standing the heat. After all, he started cooking when he was 3, trading in his toy truck for a spatula and dispelling any parental reservations about letting a toddler loose in the kitchen.

When he was 6, Zampa begged his father to teach him the recipes in his Italian-American grandmother's cookbook. From there, he discovered Thai food. Zampa hopes to open his own restaurant one day. The theme? Italian-Thai fusion.

"As far as I know, it's never been done before; it's something that's very unique to me," said Zampa, whose original recipes include curry sausage and peppers and Asian-spiced venison with a tomato-soy reduction sauce.

Zampa also has dreams of being on television again one day -- next time, as a contestant on "Iron Chef." But Zampa still has to get through some stiff competition -- and middle school -- first.